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Podcast episode

Episode 219: Into the Archives with Alicia Walker

In this interview, Part II of our discussion of quotidian magical practices in the East-Roman world with Alicia Walker, we explore a wealth of materia magica, which is a fancy way of saying "magical things". Come for the alchemical enamel-ware, stay for the multipurpose magic ring.

Roots of Magic episode

Sara Chiarini on Divination and Belief in the Greek Magical Papyri

Sara Chiarini has been studying practices for gaining knowledge in the Greek Magical Papyri. The conversation covers typologies, the types of practices involved in doing ancient knowledge-ritual, and the difficult question of ‘belief’ in the efficacy of such practices among practitioners.

Podcast episode

Episode 218: Alicia Walker on Everyday Magical Culture in East Rome

In the previous episode we looked at learned, elaborate, elite magical practices and the books that enabled them in East Rome. In this episode we discuss the magical practices and objects with which normal, non-specialist Romans navigated their mediæval world. Alicia Walker is our guide in the territory where the esoteric becomes everyday.

Podcast episode

Members only: Storytime: Reading the Solomonic Hygromanteia, Part III

In our final episode on the Solomonic Hygromanteia we get to where the action is: it's time to conjure up a demonic host. Featuring an unexpected cameo appearance from the kabbalistic sephirot!

Podcast episode

Members only: Storytime: Reading the Solomonic Hygromanteia, Part II

We read through Solomon's magical recipe book in BL MS Harleianus 5596. This is spirit-summoning as metier.

Podcast episode

Members only: Storytime: Reading the Solomonic Hygromanteia, Part I

In a three-part episode, we explore the family of Solomonic addressative texts known as the Hygromanteia. In Part I we look at the range of MSS and scholarship and the Solomonic tradition which provides the context for this extraordinary manual for angelic and demonic manipulation.

Listen to the Introduction

An introduction to the podcast, discussing briefly what we mean by ‘western esotericism’. This episode also answers the burning question, ‘What’s so “secret” about The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast?’ and features a short quiz to test your knowledge of western esoteric history.

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